Apocryphal Scripture of the Week: (see Doctrine and Covenants 91)
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“And as the city was held by the Hebrews from that time, I too will here conclude my account.
“If it has been well and pointedly written, that is what I wanted; but if it is poor, mediocre work, that was all I could do.
Continue reading “Apocryphal Scripture of the Week #10: So This Will Be the End”Apocryphal Scripture of the Week: (see Doctrine and Covenants 91)
Eleazar—yet another wise old Jewish man from the scriptures—faces a dilemma. The heathens currently in control of Jerusalem are forcing the believers to violate the Law of Moses by eating pork. Like the prophet Daniel once did, however, Eleazar refuses to do so, honoring his covenant with God.
Continue reading “Apocryphal Scripture of the Week #9: I Will Prove Myself Worthy”Apocryphal Scripture of the Week: (see Doctrine and Covenants 91)
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“Success gained over one’s kindred is the greatest failure.”
(2 Maccabees 5:6)
Continue reading “Apocryphal Scripture of the Week #8: The Greatest Failure”Apocryphal Scripture of the Week: (see Doctrine and Covenants 91)
Here’s a cool story. Simon Maccabeus, the last of the Maccabee family who fought to protect the Jews’ lands and religious rights, was different from his brothers and his father. While his predecessors had no problem mowing down their enemies whether in occupied Jewish cities or ones they just wanted to conquer, Simon took a less aggressive approach.
Continue reading “Apocryphal Scripture of the Week #7: Do Not Treat Us as Our Wickedness Deserves”Apocryphal Scripture of the Week: (see Doctrine and Covenants 91)
“Let us get up now and fight for our lives, for today is not like yesterday or the day before,
For here is the battle in front of us and behind us, and on one side the water of the Jordan, and on the other marsh and thicket, and there is no room to retreat.
Apocryphal Scripture of the Week: (see Doctrine and Covenants 91)
This one’s pretty fun and awesome, but it requires a bit of context first, so bear with me:
In “The Story of Bel and the Dragon,” we see a sort of alternate version (or maybe additional tale?) of Daniel in the Lion’s Den. The Persian King Cyrus, who with the Babylonians worships idols, commands Daniel to worship statues.
Continue reading “Apocryphal Scripture of the Week #5: By the Crown of the Head”
Apocryphal Scripture of the Week: (see Doctrine and Covenants 91)
“Show regard for no one at the expense of your soul,
And respect no one, to your own downfall….
Contend for the truth to the death,
And the Lord will fight for you.”
Continue reading “Apocryphal Scripture of the Week #3: Contend for the Truth to the Death”
Apocryphal Scripture of the Week: (see Doctrine and Covenants 91)
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“For those who claimed to drive away fears and troubles from sick souls
Were sick themselves with ridiculous fear
Apocryphal Scripture of the Week: (see Doctrine and Covenants 91)
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“All that was secret or manifest I learned,
For wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me. . . .
For wisdom is more mobile than any motion,
Continue reading “Apocryphal Scripture of the Week #1: Wisdom—More Mobile Than Any Motion”
The Commonplace Notebook 